Unconfined Aquifer Recharge Area

Evaporation and transpiration Evaporation

Precipitation
Confined
Recharge
Area

Runoff

Flowing
artesian well
Infiltration

Water
table

Well
requiring
a pump

Stream
Lake

Infiltration

Less permeable
material such as
clay

Fig. 1313-3, p. 316



Available year-round
Exists almost everywhere
Cheap to extract
No Evaporation loss
Renewable *

India, China, and the United States

Three largest grain producers
Overpumping aquifers for irrigation of crops

Reduced water flows to surface

waters

Subsidence

Saltwater Intrusion

Waste less water!

Government subsidies for water conservation

Limit number of wells

Dont grow water-thirsty crops in dry areas

Preventing Groundwater Depletion

Raise price of water to discourage waste

Tax water pumped from wells near surface

waters

Set/ enforce minimum stream flows

Divert surface waters in wet year to recharge

aquifers

Controlling Groundwater Depletion

Extreme case of preventing water depletion